Dubai Paratha Smash Burger

The Dubai Paratha Smash Burger is a viral street food fusion that is all over social media right now. It combines cheesy smashed beef patties with crispy, flaky parathas layered with a pickle garlic sauce and caramelized onions. It's messy, indulgent, and absolutely worth the hype, and now you can easily make it at home.

Looking for more delicious burgers? Try my ultimate Cheeseburger with Pickled Jalapenos, KFC-Style Crispy Chicken Burger and Chicken Caesar Sandwich.

What Is A Dubai Paratha Smash Burger

This Paratha Smash Burger was first introduced at KLAY by Karak House in Dubai. They basically took a regular American smash burger and swapped the buns for paratha. The paratha gets crispy when cooked and soaks up all the burger juices.

Parathas themselves are not new. Many food cultures have their own versions, but the paratha used in Dubai's version is closest to the South Asian style. In Pakistan, we call it a laccha paratha, known for its crisp, layered texture that comes from folding and rolling the dough with oil or ghee.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here's what you'll need to make the Dubai Paratha Smash Burger recipe. See recipe card for quantities.

• All-purpose flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, water, oil - Basic pantry staples for the paratha dough. 
• Ground beef (or veal) - Use beef with at least 20% fat for juicy patties. Veal gives a lighter flavor. Ground chicken or lamb can also be used.
• Cheddar cheese slices - Melts well and gives the classic smash burger flavor. American cheese, gouda, or mozzarella work too.
• Worcestershire sauce - Adds depth and umami. Soy sauce or a splash of balsamic vinegar can be used if you don't have it.
• Mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard - The base of the burger sauce. Regular mustard and plain yogurt (or sour cream) can be substituted.
• Pickles - Give tang and crunch to the sauce. You can also use relish.
• Onions - Choose yellow or white onions for caramelizing.
• Butter and oil - A mix helps the onions cook evenly without burning.
• Garlic - Fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder works too. 
• Seasonings - Black pepper, red pepper, white pepper can be adjusted to taste. 

Step By Step With Photos

1. Combine flour, milk, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Use warm water to knead the dough and rest for 30-60 minutes.
2. Split into 3 equal balls. Cover and rest another 15 minutes.
3. Oil the counter and roll out and stretch one ball until paper thin.
4. Brush lightly with oil, then fold the sheet like a hand fan.
5. Roll into a spiral, tuck the end, and rest 10 minutes.
6. Press with your fingers to make a big round bun. Pan-fry on low heat till golden on both sides.

1. Make the sauce by mixing mayo, Green yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, pickles, and spices.
2. For caramelized onions, cook onions with butter, oil, sugar, and salt until golden.

1. Combine ground meat with garlic, spices, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Roll into 6 small balls.
3. Place a ball on a hot skillet and press thin to smash the patties.
4. Cook 2 minutes per side, adding cheese after flipping.

1. Assemble burgers - Layer sauce, patties, onions, more sauce, and top with paratha bun.
2. Serve immediately with my masala fries and extra sauce!

FAQs

📖 Recipe

Dubai Paratha Smash Burger

This Dubai Paratha Smash Burger combines juicy smashed beef patties, caramelized onions, and a pickle garlic sauce, all layered between crispy, flaky paratha instead of regular buns. A fusion street food favorite you can now make at home.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Resting Time: 55 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 3

Author: Qashang

Ingredients

Paratha Buns

• 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅓ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon caster sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup (120 ml) milk room temperature
• Warm water as needed for kneading
• Cooking oil as needed

Smashed Patties

• 14 oz (400 g) ground beef or veal (80/20 recommended)
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 garlic clove crushed
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 6 slices cheddar cheese or any yellow cheese
• 2 tablespoon cooking oil

Sauce

• ¼ cup (60 g) mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove crushed
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon pickles finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper
• Pinch salt

Caramelized Onions

• 2 medium onions thickly sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• pinch salt

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Instructions

Paratha Buns

• In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, salt, sugar, milk, and baking powder. Begin mixing and gradually add warm water until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Lightly oil the bowl and dough, cover, and let rest for 30-60 minutes (or overnight in the fridge).
• Divide the dough into 3 equal balls (about 5 oz / 140 g each). If sticky, use oil instead of flour when handling. Place the dough balls back in the bowl, cover, and rest for another 15 minutes.
• Take one dough ball and stretch it out with your hands using a little oil until it is paper thin and almost transparent. If it tears slightly, it's fine. Brush about 1 teaspoon oil on the surface, sprinkle some all-purpose flour, then gather the dough edges in a zig-zag fan fold. Roll into a spiral and tuck the end underneath. Repeat with the remaining balls, cover, and rest for 10 minutes.
• Flatten each spiral gently with your fingers into a 5" (12 cm) round bun shape.
• Heat a skillet and add 2-3 tablespoons oil or ghee. Cook parathas on low heat, uncovered or lightly covered, for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Spoon some hot oil from the pan over the tops to help the layers cook. If they aren't browning, increase heat to medium.
• Remove and let rest for 3-4 minutes. Gently scrunch to loosen the layers. Slice each paratha in half horizontally to make top and bottom buns.

Sauce

• Mix together mayonnaise, garlic, yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, pickles, white pepper, and salt until smooth.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Caramelized Onions

• Heat butter and oil in a small pan over medium-low heat. Add onions, sugar, and salt.
• Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized. Set aside.

Smashed Patties

• In a bowl, combine ground meat with salt, black pepper, red pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Divide into 6 equal balls (about 2 oz / 55 g each).
• Heat a skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high. Place a ball on the hot surface and smash it flat with a heavy spatula, burger press, or the bottom of a small pan. Aim for a thin patty about 6" (16 cm) wide (larger than the bun, as it will shrink).
• Cook for 2 minutes, flip, add a slice of cheese, and cook another 2 minutes. Remove from pan. Repeat with remaining patties.

Assembly

• Spread sauce over the bottom half of a paratha bun, place two patties with cheese on top, add a scoop of caramelized onions and more sauce if desired, cover with the top half of the paratha bun.
• Serve immediately with extra sauce and my masala fries.

Video

Notes

• If the centers are undercooked after slicing, toast the cut sides briefly in the pan. Alternatively, divide the dough into 6 balls to make individual top and bottom buns.
• To save time, prepare the sauce and caramelized onions while the dough rests. 
• If using store-bought frozen parathas, cut out circles slightly larger than your patties. Each burger will need 2 circles (top and bottom) since frozen parathas are thinner and cannot be sliced in half.
• When forming smash patties, you can either press the meat ball directly on the hot skillet or flatten it first between sheets of parchment paper. To do this, place the ball on parchment, spread it thinly with your fingers into a large patty, then transfer to the skillet for cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 942kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 1476mg | Potassium: 768mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 751IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 377mg | Iron: 7mg

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and a review in the comments. You can also tag @chilitochoc on Instagram. I love hearing your feedback!

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If you loved this Dubai Paratha Smash Burger, here are more delicious beef recipes to try next:

• Beef Kofta Curry
• Chapli Kabab
• Beijing Beef
• Greek Meatballs